5th grade: Mystery of the Dead Hemlock Tree
In this lab students will:
• Use solutes and solvents to create mixtures and solutions
• Learn techniques to micropipette and measure small quantities of liquids
• Perform gel electrophoresis to compare DNA from known pests to an unknown tree killer (scientists use this method to separate out parts of a mixture)
• Discover the interdependent relationships of the hemlock ecosystem
Standards and indicators covered in this lab:
Standard 5.P.2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of matter and mixtures
5.P.2A.1
5.P.2B.4
5.P.2B.5
5.P.2B.6
Standard 5.L.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of relationships among biotic and abiotic factors within terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
5.L.4A.1
5.L.4A.2
5.L.4B.3
5.L.4B.4
6th grade: Analyzing Adaptations
In this lab students will:
• Develop a classification system for diverse animals
• Learn how scientists classify animals
• Explore the Department of Biological Sciences’ Bob and Betsy Campbell Museum of Natural History (contains over 20,000 mammal, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish specimens)
• Use microscopes to compare and contrast structural adaptations in animal specimens
• Use sterile technique to plate bacterial cultures
• Observe bacterial adaptations to antibiotics
Standards and indicators covered in this lab:
Standard 6.L.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how scientists classify organisms and how the structures, processes, behaviors, and adaptations of animals allow them to survive
6.L.4A.1
6.L.4A.2
6.L.4B.1
6.L.4B.2
7th grade: DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene
In this lab students will:
• Take and analyze traditional fingerprint data from themselves and a crime scene
• Learn about the location and the role of DNA in our bodies
• Isolate their own DNA
• Perform gel electrophoresis to compare DNA from suspects to DNA found at the crime scene
• Learn about the human genome, genetic signatures and how they are used in forensics and other applications
Standards and indicators covered in this lab:
Standard 7.L.3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the levels of organization within organisms support the essential functions of life
7.L.3A.1
7.L.3A.3
Standard 7.L.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how genetic information is transferred from parent to offspring and how environmental factors and the use of technologies influence the transfer of genetic information
7.L.4A.1
7.L.4A.2
Pre- and Post-Visit Information and Activities for DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene (MS)
8th grade: Mutants and Microscopes
In this lab students will:
• Create graphs displaying class data on various human traits
• Learn how mutations are used to find genes and determine gene function
• Use a microscope to observe and compare normal and mutant varieties of fruit flies
• Examine cases where genetic variations of traits enhance the probability of survival in a particular environment
• Use sterile technique to plate bacterial cultures
• Observe bacterial adaptations to antibiotics
Standards and indicators covered in this lab:
Standard 8.E.6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s geologic history and its diversity of life over time
8.E.6B.1
8.E.6B.2
*This field trip also includes a trip to Clemson University’s Digital Planetarium, where students will learn about galaxies, our solar system, meteors, and asteroids!